America's 19 best city bike paths

1.
Bayshore Bikeway—San Diego

The Active Times

How many bike paths end with a boat ride? An ambitious project conceived in the 1970s and only just now nearing completion, the Bayshore Bikeway is a 25-mile loop encircling San Diego Bay, the last portion of which is a ferry connection between Coronado and San Diego. The majority of the palm tree-lined path is separate from traffic—in its current state, just under half of the bikeway uses bike lanes on city streets—and planners hope it may one day prove to be a faster way for many people to commute between cities than the freeway. For now, the path mostly serves recreational purposes.

2.
Marvin Braude Bike Trail—Greater Los Angeles

The Active Times

The car is king in Los Angeles, but if you want to skip the highways and surface streets, there’s always 22 miles of beachfront riding on the Marvin Braude Bike Trail. It begins at Will Rogers State Beach in the Pacific Palisades and passes through Santa Monica, Venice and other beachside cities all the way to Torrance—rarely out of sight of shore.

3.
The Loop/Rillito River Path—Tucson, Ariz.

The Active Times

While not yet complete, this ambitious 55-mile multi-use loop around metro Tucson will connect several existing greenways into a single continuous path that passes within a mile of 60 percent of the region’s population, county administrator C.H. Huckleberry told a local news station. One of those greenways, the Rillito River Path runs along both sides of the (mostly dry) river of the same name and is mostly paved for its 12 miles, skirting the Catalina Foothills in the north of the city. Well used by cyclists, joggers and horseback riders alike, the popular trail showcases the desert scenery in this bike-friendly city.

4.
Lake Monona Bike Path—Madison, Wisc.

The Active Times

The 13-mile paved loop around Lake Monona isn’t separated from traffic for its entire length, but it will take you through downtown Madison, one of the most bikeable cities in the country. Because there are relatively few hills, you can take in the entire lake in only an hour to an hour and a half, during which you’ll get plenty of views of the Capitol and pass by a popular picnic spot, the University Arboretum, and other paths in Madison’s extensive network.

5.
Mount Vernon Trail—Northern Virginia

The Active Times

While not technically in the District of Columbia, this 17-mile paved path starts a footbridge away from Washington’s Theodore Roosevelt Island and gives a panoramic view of the city’s monuments from just across the Potomac. Before ending at Mount Vernon, George Washington’s historic estate, the trail grazes Reagan National Airport and Arlington National Cemetery, and passes through the city of Alexandria. The southern part takes cyclists through a wooded, marshy nature preserve, so riders can fill up on peace and quiet before heading back and taking one of the connecting paths into the capital.

6.
The Embarcadero and Golden Gate Bridge—San Francisco

The Active Times

If you’ve ever wondered how this famously hilly city consistently ends up on lists of most bikeable cities, look no further than its network of low ground-seeking bike lanes and paths. The city’s most scenic bike route also follows this pattern, tracing the shoreline along the Embarcadero for just over two miles—beware, this section is only a bike lane—before feeding into SF Bike Route 2 (yes, there are numbered bike routes here) and then eventually, the Golden Gate Bridge, the west sidewalk of which is for bikes only. Not only does this path circumscribe a generous portion of the city, but it showcases the best of San Francisco: you’ll pass Fisherman’s Wharf, the sea lions at Pier 39, and Telegraph Hill, all while taking in gorgeous views of the bay.

7.
Schuylkill River Trail—Philadelphia

The Active Times

Called the best bike path in Philly by Philadelphia Weekly, the 23-mile Schuylkill River Trail is a boon to commuters entering the city from Montgomery County, residents looking for a scenic shortcut through parts of downtown, and recreational cyclists making a weekend escape. The path winds unbroken, except for two short segments, all the way to Valley Forge National Historical Park.

8.
American River Bike Trail—Sacramento

The Active Times

A paved 32-mile route from downtown Sacramento to neighboring Folsom, this wide, multi-use path traces the American River through parks, scenic bends, wildlife areas, and even over a functional small-scale replica of the Golden Gate Bridge. With few road crossings, flat terrain (at least on the Sacramento end), and mile markers, this trail is a favorite for commuters and those looking to escape the city on a weekend ride.

9.
Willamette River Trail—Eugene, Ore.

Mike Shaw

It’s no mistake that Nike’s hometown has miles upon miles of trails dedicated to running and biking. This outdoors-loving home of the University of Oregon is one of two cities on this list to feature a Willamette River-centric path. Running for a combined 12 miles on both sides of the river (there are four crossings), this paved path has quarter-mile markers and gives access to parks, the university and a mall. It's also within blocks of several of the city’s famed breweries.